Experience: Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.

Education: Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.

Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.

Food and beverage serving and related workers perform a variety of customer service, food preparation, and cleaning duties in restaurants, cafeterias, and other eating and drinking establishments.

Food and beverage serving and related workers are employed in restaurants, schools, hospitals, cafeterias, and other dining places. Work shifts often include early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays. Many food and beverage serving and related workers worked part time in 2014.

Most food and beverage serving and related workers learn their skills on the job. No formal education or previous work experience is required.

The median hourly wage for food and beverage serving and related workers was $9.16 in May 2015.

Employment of food and beverage serving and related workers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Job opportunities in most dining establishments will be excellent because many workers leave the occupation each year, resulting in numerous job openings.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for food and beverage serving and related workers.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of food and beverage serving and related workers with similar occupations.

Learn more about food and beverage serving and related workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.